Fresh faces and long service expertise take SMC to next level excellence
At SMC, creating world class events comes down to the winning collaborations between event organisers and the calibre of the centre’s event delivery team.
With the multi-million dollar renovations that will transform the centre soon to be complete, General Manager Paul Davison is thrilled to announce two new appointments – Pamela Waring and Paul Noakes – and introduce some of the familiar faces whose long service expertise makes SMC synonymous with excellence.
MEET OPERATIONS MANAGER PAMELA WARING
Pamela joins SMC as Operations Manager after a long-standing career in event management and hospitality services at some of Sydney’s famous landmarks including ANZ Stadium, The Royal Hall of Industries and the Australian Turf Club. Bringing invaluable experience from her roles across event sales, planning and operations, Pamela prides herself on being able to expertly run and manage any event that is given to her.
Little known fact: Pamela is no stranger to working at warp speed. She notched up over 40,000 steps running food and beverage orders to over 85,000 attendees at both the 2008 and 2009 Bledisloe Cup events.
Looking forward: “I am very excited to join the highly experienced team at SMC and look forward to working with all their respected clients,” says Pamela.
MEET AUDIO VISUAL SERVICES MANAGER PAUL NOAKES
Paul comes in as Audio Visual Services Manager and brings a wealth of industry experience garnered on elite luxury ocean liners. After transferring from bar waiter to stage crew aboard the Queen Mary 2, Paul quickly grew his skill set from Sound Technician to Audio Engineer and eventually moved up to Production Manager on the Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Victoria. There he oversaw day to day scheduling as well as safety and technical aspects of the onboard entertainment along with managing cast change overs, new show installs and working on ship refits. Paul also has significant freelance experience working on festivals in the Hunter Valley and toured in the Middle-East with a stage show. Event organisers will be able to rest assured every AV aspect of their events is covered. The more creative the requests, the more you can expect an unforgettable experience.
Little known fact: Paul studied Music and performed in bands which sparked his career interest in AV and stage management.
Looking forward: “Now that I have settled down in Sydney working in events, the site-seeing is not quite the same, but there is no place like home,” Paul says, looking forward to making his mark at SMC.
Find out more about SMC’s state-of-the-art new AV and technology integration here
MEET DIRECTOR OF SALES SCOTT COOPER
Scott started at SMC in 2008 as Business Development Manager and has been an instrumental member of SMC’s senior management since then. Scott’s sales prowess was forged at Five Star luxury hotels including the Hilton, Westin, Ritz Carlton and Le Meridien, and he says that once he got a taste of SMC, his life changed for the best.
Little known fact: Scott has been a vegetarian since he was 10 years old and has been an advocate for improving the vegetarian selections at SMC. Clients juggling delegates’ dietary requirements and vegetarian guests are sure to be impressed with the cruelty-free and plant-based fare coming out of SMC’s kitchens.
Looking forward: “I’m excited to see how the architect’s original design comes to life through our renovations and look forward to the opportunity to showcase this to all our clients,” says Scott.
MEET BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER LEIGH DUNN
Leigh started at SMC in 2013 and when it comes to the hospitality industry, he has done it all. Leigh originally started his career as a chef followed by operations before moving into global reservations with the Intercontinental Hotels Group. Leigh’s group reservations experience led to his first Business Development Role with Inbound Groups and he has never looked back.
Little known fact: Leigh loves to design bespoke themed events and once hung hundreds of LED candles from fishing line to create a Harry Potter themed dinner. Check it out
Looking forward: “I am excited to welcome new attendees and welcome back our clients to experience the same great service with a sexy new look,” says Leigh
MEET EVENT MANAGER JENNIFER PACULIO
DJennifer has been with SMC since 2005. She came to Sydney in 2003 to study and gained her residency through commercial cookery. At SMC, Jennifer started working in Operations – in both floor and kitchen – until she moved to sales in 2008 where she has been ever since.
Little known fact: Jennifer calls herself a ‘reformed OCD’, so attention to detail is her main game.
Looking forward: “I’m excited to see returning clients and more social events in the new spaces,” says Jennifer.
MEET SALES, EVENTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR NITINAT JIRATTIKANCHOTE
Nitinat’s career background couldn’t be more adventurous. She has worked across diverse industries from IT to design to retail and hospitality. She cut her teeth in IT at Unilever and Apple, flirted with design the start-up company NexusNote, and started her own clothing retail shop. Her hospitality experience stretches back to 2009 working in restaurants and venue operations before moving to sales at SMC in 2016.
Little known fact: Nitinat’s sales and business credentials can be traced back to kindergarten where she sold cut-up paper in the shape of rings, necklaces and anything inspired by jewellery catalogues to her friends.
Looking forward: “I’m very excited to see new spaces where will be hosting wonderful events and most importantly, I’ve been waiting to share our new catering menus, dishes and flavours! I have also designed one of new walls in ground floor and can’t wait to see it,” says Nitinat.
MEET FLOOR SUPERVISOR PHUVIWATS LEEVORAPHANCHAI
Phuviwats started in hospitality when he came to Australia in 2009, working in a restaurant. He moved to SMC as a food and beverage attendant in 2014 and was promoted to Floor Supervisor in 2017.
Little known fact: Puviwats has a background in IT that together with his decade-long hospitality expertise will help shape the customer experience at SMC.
Looking forward: “I am an IT geek, which comes in handy most of the time when I meet clients. I’m excited to see the new interior design along with new technologies which will soon be presented to our clients,” says Puviwats.
MEET FUNCTION MANGER WAI SHUN CHAN
Wai started in hospitality at 17 and his first eight years in the industry were spent in the kitchen at restaurants of many different nationalities and on airlines.
After completing a hospitality management course in Australia, Wai started his front of house work as a food and beverage service staff member at SMC in 2013 and has honed his skills in fine dining and event set up as well as bar, cocktail and café service. According to Wai, SMC has provided a great opportunity to build his knowledge of gastronomy.
Little known fact: In recent years, Wai also completed courses from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) on wines, spirits and Japanese sake.
Looking forward: “Now, I’m so excited to use my skills to provide the most enjoyable event environment for our clients,” says Wai.
For event organisers, it is always reassuring to deal with an experienced team. The teamwork at SMC is like Swiss precision clockwork with every cog finely tuned and expertly in sync with the others. “The fact everyone gets along famously provides an atmosphere of infectious enthusiasm that makes every aspect of event planning and delivery a joy through collaboration. Whether you’re planning a conference, gala, exhibition or any combination thereof, we invite you to come and experience our all-round service excellence for your next event,” says GM Paul Davison.
It’s a great time to start planning your next event before SMC re-opens. Talk to SMC’s venue managers and book now for a ‘first look’ in May 2019. Places are filling fast for morning, lunch and evening ‘famils’ on Thursday 16 May that will include a tour of the newly renovated spaces, a presentation of new services and facilities as well as a taste of the world-class catering fare. Book here